Dolphins Week 9 opponent: Who are the Raiders?

The Miami Dolphins head into their second of of three straight primetime showings with yet another seismic event in the days leading up to the game.

On Tuesday, the Dolphins traded running back Jay Ajayi to the Philadelphia Eagles. With the sudden change in the backfield, coupled with an anemic offense, most pundits have picked the Raiders to win on Sunday night, despite Oakland’s 1-3 record on the road this season.

The two teams are 16-16-1 all-time in regular season games, but the Dolphins have won the last five match-ups. Here’s a quick look at Miami’s Week 9 opponent, the Raiders.

Offense

The Raiders feature a number of high-profile athletes at the skill positions, including quarterback Derek Carr. The Raiders are a middle-of-the-pack offense, ranking 15th in passing-yards-per-game (229.8), 19th in points-per-game (21.1), 20th in yards-per-game (317.8) and 26th in rushing-yards-per-game (88.0).

Carr’s season has been up-and-down, including missing Week 5 with a back injury. He has completed 64.6 percent of passes for 1,654 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. Carr has also been sacked nine times.

Despite a bevy of weapons on the outside, Carr’s has completed only 31.3 percent of passes traveling more than 15 yards in the last five games. According to Pro Football Focus, he’s 31st in the league with a 37.8 passer rating when pressured.

On the ground, the Raiders are led by former Seattle Seahawk Marshawn Lynch, who missed last week’s game due to suspension. He has 266 yards and two touchdowns on 72 carries on the season. Lynch yet to eclipse the 100-yard mark on the season.

Carr likes the spread the ball to a talented receivers group that features Miami-native Amari Cooper. Cooper, who starred at Miami Northwestern High before going to the University of Alabama, has 34 catches, 404 yards and three touchdowns on 68 targets.

Michael Crabtree has 33 catches, 411 yards and six touchdowns on 51 targets. Tight end Jared Cook also features prominently in the passing game, with 31 catches, 373 yards, and one touchdown on 46 targets.

Cooper, Crabtree, and Cook have combined for 18 plays of over 20-yards this season. The Raiders also use receiver Cordarrelle Patterson in both the running game and the passing game.

Defense

Oakland’s defense has struggled more this season than most pundits anticipated. The Raiders rank 21st in passing-yards-per-game (236.5), 22nd in rushing-yards-per-game (120.4), 23rd in points-per-game (23.8), and 25th in yards-per-game (356.9).

The Raiders are led by pass-rushing specialist Khalil Mack, whose 4.5 sacks lead the team.